Ridge Augmentation | Montgomery AL
What is a ridge augmentation?
A ridge augmentation is a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction if a socket preservation was not performed at the time of tooth removal. This procedure helps recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss.
The alveolar ridge of the jaw is the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When a tooth is removed an empty socket is left in the alveolar ridge bone. If a bone replacement graft is placed at the time of extraction the bone will be maintained. This is know as “socket preservation”. If this is not performed some bone loss will occur. Over the course of a year this can be up to 25% of volume at that site.
Rebuilding the original height and width of the alveolar ridge is not always medically necessary, but may be required for dental implant placement or for aesthetic purposes. Dental implants require bone to support their structure and a ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.
How is a ridge augmentation accomplished?
A ridge augmentation is accomplished by making a small incision in the gums. Next bone graft material is placed at the site where the tooth was extracted. The gum tissue is then placed over the site and secured with sutures. Dr. Nizam or Dr. Ivory may choose to use a space-maintaining product over the top of the graft to facilitate new bone growth. Once the socket has healed, the alveolar ridge can be prepared for dental implant placement.
A ridge augmentation procedure is typically performed in Drs. Nizam and Ivory’s office using sedative medication.
Do You Need a Bone Grafting Procedure?
Drs. Nizam and Ivory can utilize bone grafts to make your jawbone more suitable for the placement of dental implants, as well as repair defects of the jaws. Contact us today!